How to Make Fun Glass Charms and Jewelry for your Summer Party!

Introduction

You have probably seen these fun charms in stores. They are great for guests to keep up with which glass is theirs. Why pay those high prices when you can make them yourself and make them to match the theme of your party!! They also make a great gift to take to a party...add a few glasses and a bottle of wine and the hostess will be glad you came! Another great use is as earrings!

By: PolyClayPlay

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Instructions

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Difficulty: Easy

Tips & Warnings:

You can find the earring wires at your craft store that sells jewelry findings. I suggest you buy the package with more than you need. The wire can break pretty easily (see Step 8).
They come in silver or gold. Be sure to buy jump rings that match.
Make sure the beads have a hole big enough to fit on the earring wire.
Any time you work with polymer clay, be sure you condition (knead) the clay well. If you don't, it will be hard to work with but more importantly, it won't be strong after baking.
Follow the clay package directions for baking your clay.
Don't use tools in the kitchen after you have used them in your clay project.

Step1

The "Wow" factor of these charms is the fun swirl of color! Follow the instructions for the three color Swirl Beads from the Basic Swirl Tutorial available in the Freebie’s at www.PolyClayPlay.com For each bead cut two 5⁄16” circles from each color and combine them to make each swirl.

Step2

Make one bead each using white, silver and one of the rainbow colors of clay. When you have a bead swirled, press it flat on your work surface. Flatten it to about 1⁄8”, the thickness of the largest setting on a pasta machine or slightly thicker. You will be making 6 different colored Swirl Beads.

Step3

Use a needle tool to make a hole in each bead. You can get the needle tool at Poly Clay Play or use a toothpick or skewer ... anything with a pointed end. Put the point close to the edge but not so close that it makes the clay too thin at the edge. Push it into the clay and slowly rotate it to make a hole big enough for the jump ring to fit in later.

Step4

Bake your beads following your clay package directions. See warnings

Step5

When they have cooled, varnish your beads (see Varnishing Poly Clay Play Style). Varnishing them will bring out the sparkle in the silver clay!

Step6

When the beads are dry, put a jump ring in each one. See my video on the proper way to open and close a jump ring.

Step7

String your beads on earring wires following this pattern or one of your own. For the red charm: • 2 white tube beads • 1 red bead • 2 white tube beads • 1 red bead • 1 white tube bead • Red Swirl Bead • 1 white tube bead • 1 red bead • 2 white tube beads • 1 red bead • 2 white tube beads

Step8

Bend the end of the earring wire 90° to make a catch for the loop. Bend slowly! See Tip...

Step9

Repeat Step 7 for each charm, matching the colored beads to the Swirl Bead.

Step10

Now send out those invitations and get the party started!!

Step11

Don't forget to make an extra pair for earrings omitting Step 8! You may want to make the swirls a little smaller so they won't be as heavy. Try the glass charm before you bend the end to test the weight.